Riots Erupt Across Milwaukee Following Fatal Police Shooting

Violent protests erupted in Milwaukee after a man was fatally shot by police during a foot chase.

According to NBC News, police said the victim, 23, was armed with a handgun and shot dead by an officer after fleeing a traffic stop on Milwaukee’s north side Saturday afternoon.

Hours later, the city broke out into protest, smashing a police vehicle, throwing rocks and bricks at officers and even setting fire to a gas station.

The victim has been identified by CNN as Sylville Smith. The officer involved in the shooting—a 24-year-old who has been with the police department for six years, three of which as an officer—has yet to be identified.

The incident began when a pair of police officers stopped Smith and another person in a car on Saturday about 3:30pm, police said. The men fled the car and the officers followed, shooting Smith in the arm and chest when he failed to put his gun down, Mayor Tom Barrett told CNN.

Smith died at the scene. The shooting officer will be placed on administrative duty during an investigation.